How to Propagate Citronella
Citronella geraniums are grown in home gardens to repel mosquitoes. Plant a citronella geranium into a patio planter, hanging pot or garden bed to provide color and fragrance in the landscape. The plant is not winter hardy in climates with frost or freezing weather. Propagate citronella geraniums to create additional or new plants by taking stem cuttings in fall, before the first killing frost. Proper propagation techniques produce roots three to four weeks after planting. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Propagation tray
- Rooting medium
- Plant clipper
- Rooting hormone
- Plastic cover
- Water mister
- 4-inch pots
- Potting soil
Instructions
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1
Combine water with rooting medium. Mix it with your hands until it forms the consistency of a damp sponge. Fill the propagation tray with the medium 1/2 inch from the top edge.
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2
Cut a 3- to 4-inch stem off a citronella geranium branch. Clip all leaves from the lower half to prevent rotting during propagation.
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3
Dip the bottom end of the stem in powdered rooting hormone and stick the stem into the propagation tray to a depth of one-third the length of the stem.
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4
Cover the tray and stem with a clear plastic cover or bag to increase the humidity around the stem. Set the tray in an area with filtered sunlight and a temperature of approximately 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The top of a refrigerator works well for germination.
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5
Open the cover daily to check the moisture and refresh the air around the stem. Mist the medium with water, as needed.
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6
Check for root formation after four weeks by moving the soil gently with your finger. White shoots coming from the stem indicate successful root production.
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7
Transplant citronella geranium stems with 1-inch roots into 4-inch pots filled with a well-draining potting soil. Use caution with the delicate roots.
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8
Place the transplants in an area with full sunlight and monitor the soil moisture. Fertilize the stems every two weeks with a water-soluble flower fertilizer until transplanting outdoors in spring.
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